[[{“value”:”
Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Mystique #4! There are few Marvel Comics characters – X-Men or otherwise – who can match the raw strength of the Juggernaut. However, there’s at least one classic mutant who can copy it perfectly, effectively making her Marvel’s ‘new Juggernaut’ – at least, when she decides to take that form, anyway. And this mutant’s recent exhibition of the Juggernaut’s power confirms that she is at her all-time most powerful in X-Men canon.
In a preview for Mystique #4 by Declan Shalvey, Nick Fury is leading a mission against Raven Darkhölme. Fury and the other agents of SHIELD assigned to the case are trying to bring Mystique into custody any way they can, which is exactly why SHIELD did something truly despicable: the agency kidnapped Mystique’s wife, Destiny.
Mystique got Maverick’s help to distract Nick Fury and the other agents assigned to her case while she broke into a SHIELD holding facility to look for Destiny. But, Mystique didn’t go as herself, she decided to break into SHIELD in the form of someone who is famously unstoppable: the Juggernaut. But, in this comic, Mystique doesn’t just take the form of the Juggernaut, she’s able to wield his otherworldly strength as well.
Mystique’s Mutation Grants Her the Appearance AND Full-Power of the Juggernaut
Mystique has Only One Mutant to Thank for Her New Upgrade
Normally, when Mystique uses her mutant power of shapeshifting, she can only take the appearance of any given person. Sure, she gets a drastically weakened version of their full power (for example, she’d get Wolverine’s claws upon shapeshifting into him, but they wouldn’t be adamantium), but that’s certainly not what fans are seeing in this issue. Here, Mystique doesn’t have a ‘weakened version’ of the Juggernaut’s powers, she’s wielding his strength at max power.
So, how did Mystique pull off this latest feat? Well, she actually only has one mutant to thank for that: Fabian Cortez. In a previous issue, Mystique kidnapped Cortez and made him use his power-enhancing abilities on her. Now, when Mystique turns into the Juggernaut, she doesn’t just look like the Juggernaut, she effectively becomes the Juggernaut. That means anytime she takes that form, Mystique becomes a ‘new Juggernaut’ in the Marvel Universe.
Mystique Just Became the Most Powerful Mutant in the Marvel Universe
If Mystique Can Wield the Juggernaut’s Full Power, then She Can Do It With Anyone
What’s more interesting than the fact that Mystique basically becomes a new Juggernaut every time she transforms into Cain Marko is that this isn’t unique to the Juggernaut. Because of the upgrade given to her by Fabian Cortez, Mystique can do this with anyone she chooses. Does that mean Mystique can transform into the likes of Magneto, Professor X, or even Apocalypse and wield their abilities at max power? This issue seems to confirm as much, making Mystique perhaps the strongest mutant in X-Men canon.
Related
Marvel Tees Up a Big Change to Juggernaut’s Powers And Honestly? We Hate It.
Marvel Comics has just changed Juggernaut’s powers in X-Men canon for the worse, a change that effectively nerfs the one-time ‘unstoppable’ behemoth.
Only time will tell if Mystique has what it takes to outsmart Nick Fury, defeat the SHIELD agents chasing her, and find Destiny before it’s too late. But, now that she has unleashed her full power in the form of becoming a ‘new Juggernaut’ in X-Men continuity, it’s fair to say that Mystique will come out on top.
Mystique #4 by Marvel Comics is available January 22, 2025.
X-Men
The X-Men franchise, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, centers on mutants with extraordinary abilities. Led by the powerful telepath Professor Charles Xavier, they battle discrimination and villainous mutants threatening humanity. The series explores themes of diversity and acceptance through a blend of action, drama, and complex characters, spanning comics, animated series, and blockbuster films.
“}]] Marvel Comics reveals X-Men’s new Juggernaut. Read More